The road to war in Europe 1900-1914

To revise the causes of world war 1, please download: [[file/view/TheCausesofWorldWarOneRevisionPacket.doc|TheCausesofWorldWarOneRevisionPacket.doc]], a 10 page overview of all events between 1900 - 1914.

Tensions in Europe

Colours correspond with map.

Britain
1) was angered by German support of Boers during the Boer War (1899-1902)
2) feared German rivalry in
(a) industry and trade
(b) naval power
(c) empire
3) abandoned its policy of 'splendid isolation'and began to build 'ententes' (friendly agreements).

Russia
1) needed an outlet to the sea and therefore wanted a weak or friendly power in control of the Dardanelles
2) opposed Austrian or German influence in the Balkans
3) saw the Berlin-Baghdad Railway as a threat to its position in the Balkans
4) wished to protect other Slav peoples:
(a) hostile to Germany which ruled Polish Slavs
(b) supported Serbs and Bulgars.

France
1) was angered by the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany after Franco-Prussian War (1870)
2) feared further German aggression
3) wanted to protect its empire, especially in North Africa.

Serbia
1) was a new nation formed in 1878 after breaking away from the Turkish Empire
2) nationalists planned to create Yugoslavia (Southern Slavia) by bringing into Serbia all Slavs living in the south of Austria-Hungary.

Germany
1) new nation (since 1871) anxious about its security
2) felt particularly threatened by France and Russia
3) wanted colonies as Kaiser Wilhelm II was jealous of Britain’s Empire
4) was building the Berlin-Bagdad Railway through the Balkans.

Austria-Hungary
1) was an empire of many nationalities
2) was worried by national groups which might want to rule themselves, especially Slav people in the south who looked to Serbia for leadership.

Tensions increase: The alliance system and war plans

1) The European powers form a network of alliances to protect their interests. This reflects the tension rather than causes it.
2) All countries to draw up war plans.
Results:

• By 1914 a war between any two powers is likely to lead to the involvement of the rest.
• Germany's Schlieffen Plan commits it to attack France.

The arms race

1)
(a) Germany plans to double the size of its navy.
(b) To meet this threat to its naval supremacy, Britain builds superior Dreadnought-class battleships.
(c) Germany responds with its own version.

2) 1900-1914, the main European powers more than double expenditure on their armies.
Results:

• increase in Anglo-German mistrust
• Europe divided into two armed camps

Bosnia, 1908-1909
Austria takes over Bosnia from Turkey.
Results:.

• Austria earns hatred of Bosnian Serbs
• Serbia claims Bosnia for itself
• In attempt to weaken Austrian influence, Russia encourages formation of the Balkan League

The Balkan Wars, 1912-1913
1) Balkan League drives Turkey out of the Balkans.
2) Members of League quarrel and fight.
Results:

• Serbia gains extra territory
• Bosnian desire to join Serbia grows
• Austrian fear of Serbia increases

Answer the following questions:

1) By 1914, Europe had become divided into two camps.
a - Draw a diagram which represents the alliance system. Visually identify the relationships between the individual nations and the alliances they are in and annotate your diagram using the information above, from your text book and notes.
b - In 150 words, describe the political situation of international relations in Europe at the start of 1914, include reasons for the mutual distrust between nations.
2) The Balkans were also referred to as 'the powder keg of Europe'. In 150 words, explain why this is so.

Source: James Mason, History to GCSE,pp.6f. Based on: http://www.bischgym.at/engarbspr/roadtowar1900.htm